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While this impressive diversity can act as the foundation for a strong and stable society and developing nation, it has also created misunderstandings which led to insurgencies fighting against the government, among ethnic nationality groups and including the majority Bamar ethnic people.

From the time of independence in 1948 until the end of the1950s, Myanmar has experienced a turbulent development process under the leadership of a Parliamentary Democracy Government, the first civilian government of Myanmar.

Led by General Aung San, a national leader of Myanmar, some ethnic nationality groups signed an agreement on 12 February 1947, so as to acknowledge that Union Day. From that year on 12 February became the Union Day of Myanmar. And yet, this agreement created misunderstandings between the majority Bamar ethnic people and ethnic nationalities as some ethnic nationality groups were left unclear on the agreement and thus did not sign the agreement. The abolishment of the agreement to grant the Federal State System to ethnic nationality groups in ten years after independence was also one of the major issues that led to the emergence of several ethnic armed groups. Another issue that created further conflict within the nation was that U Nu, Prime Minister of the government during the last quarter of 1950s, proclaimed Buddhism, which has over 80% of the population, to be the State Religion while most of the ethnic nationality groups have different religions. Due to such political, religious and social dynamics factors, many ethnic nationalities adopted armed insurgency against the government.

The major armed groups are the Burma Communist Party (BCP), Shan State Army (SSA), Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), Karen National Union (KNU), New Mon State Party (NMSP) and Kayinni National Progressive Party (KNPP). Between 1948 - 2000, 20 major armed groups and many smaller and splinter groups emerged. Cease-fires and peace agreements that have been reached since the end of 1980s have called for peace by the civilian people and of course for the endeavor of government, armed groups and civilian mediators. According to the book of “Endeavors of the Myanmar Armed Forces Government for National Reconsolidation” written by Yan Nyein Aye, 2000, there are now 17 armed groups and 4 break-away Karen National Union (KNU) factions that have reached cease-fire agreements and exchanged arms for peace with the Government.